Latin showstoppers, yakitori bars and suburban Italian – here are the best openings on the Gold Coast this year (so far)
From the Latin-leaning sibling of Rick Shores to sizzling yakitori joints and next-level sandwich slingers, the Gold Coast’s dining scene has been turning up the heat in 2025. If you’ve struggled to keep pace, we’ve done the hard work for you – here’s your cheat sheet to the year’s most exciting new openings (so far). Round up the crew and start ticking them off!
Burly Bar, Currumbin:
Burly Bar has shaken things up in Currumbin, serving top-shelf cocktails in a space that’s as slick as the drinks. From the team behind Burleigh’s Burly Gin distillery, the two-storey venue pours inventive creations using its trio of small-batch gins – cucumber-vanilla, berry and citrus – with signatures like the Dirty Dill martini and the smoky-spicy Spicy Juan. A compact food menu complements the drinks without stealing the spotlight, while Studio Plenty’s award-winning fit-out draws inspiration from Burly’s distinctive glass bottles, with curved resin, custom glasswork and rich tones throughout.
Norté and Sueño, Nobby Beach
Just days before the calendar flipped to 2025, the team behind Burleigh Heads icon Rick Shores launched a bold Latin-American double act – Norté and Sueño at The Oxley in Nobby Beach. Downstairs, Norté sets the tone with a custom-built hearth and a refined, fire-fuelled menu, with dishes like the spanner-crab churro and slow-cooked beef short ribs with al pastor aji amarillo and pineapple showcasing the kitchen’s flame-licked finesse. Upstairs, Sueño brings a breezy rooftop energy with ceviche, tacos and a fun drinks list that riffs on classic cocktails from across the Americas.
One Eighty, Labrador
One Eighty brings the art of Tokyo-style yakitori to the Gold Coast, serving expertly grilled skewers over charcoal in a sleek 30-seat space in Labrador. This intimate omakase-style experience guides diners through a selection of chicken cuts, seasonal vegetables and indulgent extras like wagyu and sashimi. Thoughtful sake pairings and a collection of rare Japanese whiskies round out the offering, while the glow and aroma of the open grill add an extra layer of sensory appeal to deliver an authentic taste of Japan.
Bar Monte, Miami
From the team behind Light Years, Pixie, Moonlight and The Smoking Camel comes Bar Monte – a neighbourhood Italian eatery that’s big on charm and flavour. This laid-back locale delivers modern-Italian dishes with plenty of personality, paired with a thoughtful selection of top-shelf wines. Start with bites like Ortiz anchovy toast with smoked-tomato butter and lemon, or a pillowy mortadella bun with pickled green chilli and limoncello aioli. Then, settle in for generous plates like porcini-rubbed bistecca with onion and bone-marrow butter or twirl a fork into Bar Monte’s classic cacio e pepe.
BabyMama, Nobby Beach
BabyMama is the bold pop-up sister to long-running Broadbeach restaurant Mamasan, which is currently undergoing a full renovation. While the original gets a facelift, BabyMama keeps the flavour flowing in Nobby Beach, serving up a tight edit of greatest hits and playful new flavours. The menu swings from crowd-faves like spanner-crab tortellini and wagyu red curry to fresh spins like Sichuan burrata with chilli crisp and a 72-hour whole roasted duck. With premium sake and clever cocktails in the mix, it may be a temporary gig – but BabyMama is making a strong case for sticking around.
Palomino’s Deli, Tugun
A newcomer to Tugun, Palomino’s Deli is winning hearts with its fun vibe, quality coffee and stacked deli sandwiches. Mornings start strong with a cult-favourite egg roll – fluffy scrambled eggs, melty cheddar and your choice of deli meats like mortadella or sopressa, all nestled in a soft potato bun. Come lunchtime, the focus shifts to just two standout sandwiches – the American, stacked with thinly sliced deli meats, salad and ranch dressing, and the Italian, layered with pesto, big olives, mortadella and cheese. It’s not uncommon for Palomino’s to sell out of sandos, so make sure you get in there nice and early.
Ramen Kyo, Mermaid Beach
Ramen Kyo offers a fresh, modern take on Japan’s most comforting bowl. The specialty here is chicken-based broth – lighter than the usual pork but still full of depth – poured over springy noodles and topped with all the right extras. There’s spicy, seafood and vegetarian options, plus bites like golden prawn gyoza and crisp tempura for the side. The 36-seat space is sleek and simple, with timber, monochrome tones and a focus on what matters – good ramen, done right.
Haven at The Mondrian Gold Coast, Burleigh Heads
Australia’s first Mondrian hotel has opened in Burleigh Heads, and with it comes Haven – a striking new addition to the Gold Coast dining scene. Led by executive chef Aaron Teece, the restaurant delivers a produce-forward menu built on native ingredients and hyper-local seafood, with highlights like hand-picked spanner crab on a crab waffle, wood-fired scallop pie with curry sauce and dry-aged yellowfin tuna with garum vinaigrette. Designed for all-day dining, Haven shifts seamlessly from breezy lunches to golden-hour dinners – and it feels right at home in Burleigh.
POKKOi, Coolangatta
Bringing a bold dose of Southeast Asian flavour to Coolangatta, POKKOi landed on the scene in early 2025 with a menu that dances between the vibrant streets of Vietnam and Thailand. The line-up swings from punchy small plates to wok-fired crowd-pleasers and fragrant curries, with favourites like beef-rendang doughnuts, crispy duck salad and shaking beef with banana chilli leading the charge. The drinks list keeps pace with playful Asian-inspired cocktails like the Good Morning Vietnam (Malibu, spiced rum, nitro coffee and condensed milk) and papaya margaritas, while dessert delivers surprises like pandan tapioca topped with chilli hokey pokey.
Papa Rolly’s, Carrara
Papa Rolly’s is the latest Italian eatery from the Gemelli Group, serving up woodfired pizza, house-made pasta and old-school charm in Carrara. Named after the Carney brothers’ grandfather, the venue blends a warm, family-friendly vibe with a menu made for sharing – think calamari fritti, arancini, rich ragus and pizzas with perfectly blistered bases. Round it out with a scoop from the gelato bar or a classic Italian cocktail.
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